Indian Wells - Day 7

Third round matches at Indian Wells included a straight sets win for John Isner over Adrian Mannarino and the rich vein of form continues for the American.  Kei Nishikori also needed just the two sets to overcome 30th seed American Steve Johnson, but this was not as easy, tie breakers required in each.  Isner v Nishikori in the round of 16 should be a beauty.

The exciting result for tennis was the German teenager Alexander Zverev taking another seed out of the event.  He gave 16th seed Gilles Simon a hiding 6-2 6-2 and at this rate his ranking of 58 will shrink very quickly and he could well become the youngest player in the top 20.  The next challenge will be tougher - Nadal who showed some of his very best in a 6-0 first set trouncing of compatriot Fernando Verdasco before winning 6-0 7-6. 

After splitting two tight sets, Dominic Thiem ran away with the final set to eliminate American Jack Sock from the tournament, while Jo-Wilfried Tsonga took care of another American Sam Querrey without too much trouble.

In another all Spanish battle, Feliciano Lopez defeated Roberto Bautista Agut in an epic three setter 7-6 (5) 6-7 (10) 6-4.

Novak Djokovic took just the two sets to show Philipp Kohlschreiber the exit gate, still without being at his best.

Fourth round for the ladies, and Jelena Jankovic was serving for a 4-2 lead before Aga Radwanska put her skates on and raced to a 6-3 6-3 win.

Petra Kvitova again had her supporters biting their nails, dropping the first set to surprise packet Nicole Gibbs.  Her better all court game rescued the 8th seed and Petra joined Aga in the quarters, in fact to play her.

Samantha Stosur won her first service game to lead Vika Azarenka 1-0 but proceeded to lose the next six games and the set 6-1.  The momentum shifted in the second set and Stosur broke the Azarenka serve to lead 2-0 maintaining that break through to the end of the set which she won 6-4 requiring a decider.  

Azarenka was able to steady, and quickly was 3-0 in the third and won 6-1 4-6 6-1.

Simona Halep and Magdalena Rybarikova  both won matches through opponents retiring, Rybarikova's win seeing 9th seed Vinci leaving Indian Wells.

Russian teenager Daria Kasatkina upset 12th seed Timea Bacsinszky and in straight sets to move into the quarter finals.  Russia, as seen in the past, is appearing to cultivate another generation of female players likely to give the top twenty a hammering.